Abbas praises international condemnation of Trump Jerusalem announcement

To the Palestinian Authority president, widespread rejection of Trump's announcement internationally sent a message of support for the rights of Palestinian people.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas walks to speaks to the media after his meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan October 22, 2017 (photo credit: REUTERS/MUHAMMAD HAMED)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas walks to speaks to the media after his meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan October 22, 2017
(photo credit: REUTERS/MUHAMMAD HAMED)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed  international condemnation of US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital Friday, According to the Palestinian Authority's Wafa news outlet.
Amid anger in the Arab world and concern among Washington's Western allies, the United Nations Security Council met on Friday at the request of eight of the 15 members — Britain, France, Sweden, Bolivia, Uruguay, Italy, Senegal and Egypt.
Abbas praised the members for affirming their rejection of the "dangerous" move by the United States that "violates all international resolutions and the basis of the peace process that considers Jerusalem as a final status issue," according to Wafa.
"We reiterate our position against the statement made by the United States representative at the UN Security Council during the session, which violates the position of the international consensus,” Abbas said.
To the Palestinian leader, widespread rejection of Trump's announcement internationally sent a message of support for the rights of Palestinian people and their cause — especially as it relates to accepting east Jerusalem as the capital of a would-be Palestinian state.
"We renew our rejection of the American position towards the city of Jerusalem," he said, stressing that the United States of America is no longer qualified to act as the broker and mediator of the peace process.
In a joint statement after the UNSC meeting, Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and Italy said the US decision, which includes plans to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, was "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region."
"We stand ready to contribute to all credible efforts to restart the peace process, on the basis of internationally agreed parameters, leading to a two-State solution," they said. "We encourage the US Administration to now bring forward detailed proposals for an Israel-Palestinian settlement."
Egypt's UN Ambassador Amr Aboulatta said the US decision would have "a grave, negative impact" on the peace process.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the Washington has credibility as a mediator with both Israel and the Palestinians and accused the United Nations of damaging rather than advancing peace prospects with unfair attacks on Israel.
"Israel will never be, and should never be, bullied into an agreement by the United Nations, or by any collection of countries that have proven their disregard for Israel's security," Haley said.